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The Customer Collective BlogWed, 11 Sep 2019 15:38:44 +0000en-UShourly1121274035Terms You’ll Need To Know Before You Start Investinghttps://thecustomercollective.com/terms-youll-need-to-know-before-you-start-investing/
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 15:35:09 +0000https://thecustomercollective.com/?p=2256While many people are interested in investing, there are a variety of things that can stop them from doing so. One of the more notable of these is the terminology that’s used in the niche that can often make it quite confusing. Though the majority of experienced investors will consider many terms somewhat basic, they can be overwhelming for many people who are new to the niche. As such, they can pose somewhat of a barrier to entry for many of us, although this doesn’t have to be true. While there are quite a significant number of things that you’ll […]

While many people are interested in investing, there are a variety of things that can stop them from doing so. One of the more notable of these is the terminology that’s used in the niche that can often make it quite confusing.

Though the majority of experienced investors will consider many terms somewhat basic, they can be overwhelming for many people who are new to the niche. As such, they can pose somewhat of a barrier to entry for many of us, although this doesn’t have to be true.

While there are quite a significant number of things that you’ll want to be aware of before investing, there are a few basic terms that you should be mindful of. By doing so, you’ll then be able to start building the foundation for your future investment success.

What Are Gap Up Stocks?

The term gap up stocks may seem confusing to many people; the act itself is much simpler than you might suggest. Gap up stocks refers to stocks that open at a higher level than they did on the previous day of trading, with this increase being referred to as a gap up.

Related to this is the term: full gap up. This is where a stock opens noticeably higher than it did on the previous day. As you may expect, there’s also the term partial gap up. This is used when a stock opens marginally higher than it did in the previous trading day.

There can be quite a significant number of things that affect this and can often make the process seem overwhelming. Should there be a variety of gap up stocks, then this is typically an indication of a bull market.

What Is A Bull Market?

Speaking of a bull market, this is a term that’s used a significant number of times when referring to the stock market, although the majority of newcomers may not know what this means. Typically, this refers to a market where prices are either rising or expected to rise.

Since prices can fluctuate regularly, the term is usually used for when stock prices rise for a large amount of time. In many cases, bull markets can extend for months or even years. Alongside this, it’s typically only used when a large number of stocks are rising.

What Is A Bear Market?

A bear market is something related to a bull market, although it means the opposite. However, this doesn’t mean that it will be used anytime stock prices fall. In contrast, it’s typically used to refer to a market where the stocks have fallen 20% or more.

This is usually accompanied by widespread pessimism in the market, although whether the drop comes first or second can vary. Perhaps the most notable bear market in recent memory is the Great Recession, where stocks dropped and remained low for 17 months, between 2007 and 2009.

What Is Volatility?

Volatility is something that can play quite a significant role in the stock market, though it’s something that many people may be confused by. This is the statistical measure of a stock’s or security’s dispersion of returns. Typically, the higher the volatility, then the riskier the stocks.

While these can often pay out large dividends, it’s recommended that new investors avoid them when they first start in the niche.

What Is Leverage?

The term leverage is something that many people may be familiar with, although its definition can vary somewhat depending on where it’s being used. In stocks, it’s used to refer to the ratio of a broker’s credit to a trader’s funds, making it a borrowed asset that’s typically used to increase potential returns.

In many cases, this leverage is several times larger than the initial invested capital.

What Is A Spread?

While the term spread can have a variety of meanings in investing, there are a few definitions that are much more common than others. The most notable of these is the difference between two prices, with this typically referring to the asking amount of a stock and a bid, with this often being called the bid-ask spread.

While there is a variety of other things that you’ll need to know before investing, it can be essential to know the basics before doing so. This will ensure that you’re able to properly research and understand the stocks that are on offer before you invest.

]]>2256Ensuring Business Continuity when Disaster Strikeshttps://thecustomercollective.com/ensuring-business-continuity-when-disaster-strikes/
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 15:33:37 +0000https://thecustomercollective.com/?p=2253Owning a successful business does not just happen. For the savvy business owner, it takes a lot of planning to get things up and running smoothly. In fact, even though the day to day operations can be a handful for most owners, it is important that there is still planning that goes into protecting the future welfare of the business. One of the most important is preparing the operations for business continuity when disaster strikes. That being said, before you get started with devising a plan for your organization, it is important that you define what business continuity actually […]

]]>Owning a successful business does not just happen. For the savvy business owner, it takes a lot of planning to get things up and running smoothly. In fact, even though the day to day operations can be a handful for most owners, it is important that there is still planning that goes into protecting the future welfare of the business. One of the most important is preparing the operations for business continuity when disaster strikes.

That being said, before you get started with devising a plan for your organization, it is important that you define what business continuity actually means. This is because business continuity refers to your operation continuing to function with the use of minimal resources. For instance, not all services will be back to a fully staffed operation but may only have a minimal staff that’s intended to keep only the critical services running effectively. Therefore, once your organization has identified the scope of this plan, you can then begin the process of devising what needs to be done. When you begin to write your plan, you need to make sure that you ever thing that must be covered. Typically, this type of comprehensive plan will consist of documenting the 5 critical components provided for you below.

Business Continuity Plan Governance Established

One of the first things that need to be done is to establish control over the BCP by setting roles and responsibilities. These plans are governed by those at the top spots in the organization, one position, in particular, is senior management. The role that they play is key since senior management oversees a variety of different activities that must be performed, including the initiation, planning, approval, auditing, and the testing of the BCP. The senior manager is also joined by several member committees that also has distinct responsibilities that must be filled (i.e. executive sponsor, BCP Coordinator, Security Officer, and the Chief Information Officer).

Committee documents BIA or Business Impact Analysis

The BIA or business impact analysis is designed to identify the company’s critical services and products that are crucial to the company. The committee makes sure these activities are ranked in priority order. Both internal and external disruptions are identified so that they can be addressed with a plan.

BCP Plans consists of outlining the appropriate measures, and arrangements

When the areas of disruptions have been accurately identified, the committee will begin to work on the appropriate measures and arrangements that will need to be made. The plans that they make are completely proactive. They are also designed to explain exactly what is needed to initiate a proficient minimum services and products plan.

Readiness procedures are written

After the details of these plans have been outlined, the next step in BCP is to make sure those who are involved are ready to put the appropriate measures in place. When surveying the organization for its readiness needs, the committee may mandate and approve specific types of training, BCP related exercises, goals, and objectives that must be met. This plan will also determine the scope of those individuals and departments that must be involved in order for the BCP to work.

Exercises, Maintenances, and Auditing are established to establish the essential Quality assurance techniques

The BCP committee will also work to make sure these plans do not become dormant or no longer relevant. Therefore, these plans must be revisited for a number of different reasons or purposes. For instance, these plans may be scheduled for an annual or bi-annual review or, whenever there is a possibility that changes compromise the plan. Additionally, to make sure the BCP is exactly what is needed and there are no gaps in its effectiveness, external resources (BCP consultant) is contacted for their recommendations.

]]>22535 Health and Safety Tips for Small and New Businesseshttps://thecustomercollective.com/5-health-and-safety-tips-for-small-and-new-businesses/
Wed, 11 Sep 2019 15:30:55 +0000https://thecustomercollective.com/?p=2249When we talk about workplace safety, most of the employers and business owners think that it’s a thing for the big companies. Some will take it as a need in mining, construction, and manufacturing industries. The claims are, however, not valid. Every business needs to set a health and safety system for its workers. Failure to plan on having one in the industry can require a company’s closure by the authorities. Developing a health and safety plan is, however, not a simple task. Such is the main reason why most of the businesses fail to implement the system. If […]

]]>When we talk about workplace safety, most of the employers and business owners think that it’s a thing for the big companies. Some will take it as a need in mining, construction, and manufacturing industries. The claims are, however, not valid. Every business needs to set a health and safety system for its workers. Failure to plan on having one in the industry can require a company’s closure by the authorities.

Developing a health and safety plan is, however, not a simple task. Such is the main reason why most of the businesses fail to implement the system. If you’re an employer and wondering how to create a health and safety system for a small or new business, then this is the right page for you. Below is a list of 5 tips you can consider in making an active safety system.

Clear Warning on the Hazard Places

The first thing is to check through your work building and sees if there are any hazard points. If there are any, make efforts to ask for repairs from the landlord. If it’s a mining industry, a construction company, a manufacturing or processing business, use danger signs on areas that are hazardous for the employees. Make sure to use red flags for warnings, placed at strategic points.

Clear Communication

Communication is one of the best measures that you can consider in your business. If there is a safety risk that employees must observe, make sure that you communicate. You can assemble them, and talk the issue out. You can also use notice papers or notice boards, but make sure that it attracts employees’ attention.

Regular safety Check-off

At the workplace, it can be that potential risks will rise and remain unnoticed. That’s why you need to hire a professional to check this for you. Regular checks will help to identify small health and safety risks that could cost you dearly in the future. You can also consider a variety of inspection software available online to make your observations. Noticing these risks early enough helps to raise the alarm for repairs. It also helps to keep the staff alert.

Educate the staff on safety precautions

It’s always good that you educate your staff on how they can take care at the workplace and avoid injuries. Help them understand how to offer first aid services to their colleagues in case of an accident. You can arrange seminars for both new and old workers for them to learn more about workplace hazards. Train them how to read the warning signs, their meaning, and how to work in areas with these signs is crucial.

Take Employer’s Liability Insurance

Employer’s liability insurance covers employees who have no close relationship with you. It’s a must-do thing for all employers, and so, it’s not optional to take the cover. In case of an accident, the cover will take care of the medication cost, saving your company a couple of dollars.

As an employee, observing employee’s safety is your obligation. The above are a few tips that you can put in place and should follow to help you build a health and safety system that suits your business. With an excellent system, you’ll see productivity in your business increase. Such will earn your business a competitive edge against your competitors.

]]>2249Side Gigs From Home That Really Payhttps://thecustomercollective.com/side-gigs-from-home-that-really-pay/
Mon, 02 Sep 2019 10:55:08 +0000https://thecustomercollective.com/?p=2240It seems more people these days are finding ways to earn a decent living working from home. With advancements in technology and a younger society eager to make the most of their lives, the typical 9-to-5 jobs are no longer the norm. Listed below are a few examples of jobs you can do from the comfort of your home. Massage Therapist If you like to make people feel good, a career as a massage therapist may prove good for your soul and your wallet. The requirements vary per state, however, typically schooling can take a year or two and at […]

]]>It seems more people these days are finding ways to earn a decent living working from home. With advancements in technology and a younger society eager to make the most of their lives, the typical 9-to-5 jobs are no longer the norm. Listed below are a few examples of jobs you can do from the comfort of your home.

Massage Therapist

If you like to make people feel good, a career as a massage therapist may prove good for your soul and your wallet. The requirements vary per state, however, typically schooling can take a year or two and at the end you must pass a final exam to receive the certification. You can work from home or purchase a mobile massage table and supplies and travel to your client’s homes too.

Beautician

Beauticians love to style hair, apply makeup, do eyebrows, and decorate nails. If performing these tasks daily appeals to you, becoming one gives you the ability to create your own hours and gain a following of loyal customers. In less than a year of cosmetology school, you can start this rewarding career.

Freelance Writer

Do you enjoy writing? If so, there are many online companies and individuals who need the help of writers to produce content for their websites and blogs. And, the best part is that you create your hours and you decide which jobs you want to take. You can work part-time or full-time. All you need is a computer and an internet connection.

Pet Groomer

People love their pets. In fact, many people decide to have pets instead of children. Pets are part of the family, so it’s completely normal to want them to always look and feel their best. As a groomer, you can work from home or travel to your client’s homes. Courses that teach you the basics, such as cleaning ears, clipping nails, and cutting hair, take anywhere from six months to one year to complete. While a dog grooming license is not a requirement, you will need to acquire a license from the state to conduct business from your home.

Child Caregiver

People have to work and they often need someone to watch their children while they are away. If you love children and want to make money working from home, consider a career as a child caregiver. You will need to meet government and state requirements, pass a home inspection and learn first aid and CPR, but in a relatively short period of time, you can start your new career.

Graphic Designer

There is a growing need for web design by companies. And, while schooling to become a web designer can take up to four years, there are many people that are self-taught who enjoy a lucrative career. If you have a creative mind and want to use your talent to make money, a career in this field can earn you $50,000 or more per year. It’s a growing field where the need currently exceeds the demand.

Customer Service

With companies farming out much of their jobs, the traditional customer service representative that once occupied a seat with many others in an office now works from home. For this career, all you need is a separate phone line, an internet connection, and good communication skills.

Blogger

Is there something you are passionate about? Do you enjoy certain hobbies? If so, why not start a blog? It’s easy to do and very inexpensive to go live. After you gain a following you will attract companies to place ads on your site, and pay you for doing it.

If you want to break free of working for a company on their schedule and begin working from home, there are many job opportunities available.

]]>2240Different Types of Lighting for Your Businesshttps://thecustomercollective.com/different-types-of-lighting-for-your-business/
Fri, 30 Aug 2019 09:02:54 +0000https://thecustomercollective.com/?p=2235There are different types of lighting that you can use in your business premises. While they have the same main feature of giving light, they have their characteristics. It’s vital to understand these options better to determine which is the best to use in your company. Here are some of the lighting types that you can choose from. Mercury vapour lamps These lamps are outdated, so they are no longer widely used. They were popular in the past, but more advanced options have now replaced them. Mercury vapour lamps were largely used in areas that required significant lighting such as […]

There are different types of lighting that you can use in your business premises. While they have the same main feature of giving light, they have their characteristics. It’s vital to understand these options better to determine which is the best to use in your company. Here are some of the lighting types that you can choose from.

Mercury vapour lamps

These lamps are outdated, so they are no longer widely used. They were popular in the past, but more advanced options have now replaced them. Mercury vapour lamps were largely used in areas that required significant lighting such as event venues and parking spaces. They are known to last for a long time. If you still have this type of lighting, you can still use it, but it will be inconvenient since it is difficult to find replacement parts or replacements for the lamps themselves. As mentioned, they are no longer produced or sold.

Incandescent bulbs

These bulbs like the mercury vapour lamps were also popularly used in past years. While there are still several types of lighting available in the market, they are no longer used in companies because there are now more cost-effective options available. While their initial price is low, they have higher energy consumption, which will be an increased cost for you in the long run. Moreover, the life expectancy of these bulbs is shorter than other options. Many of them last for only around 1,000 hours.

Light-emitting diodes

Light-emitting diodes or LED lights may be more expensive than typical incandescent bulbs, but they offer several advantages. If you are like many companies that are looking to lower their business electricity prices, the use of LEDs is one of the things that you can do. They have lower power consumption, plus their life duration is longer. Moreover, they do not get easily damaged, which will save you money in repairs or replacements. These lights are also friendly to the environment as they don’t produce a high level of CO2, and they don’t contain toxic substances like mercury.

Halogen bulbs

These bulbs look like the traditional incandescent bulbs, although they do not leave tungsten deposits that cause the black discolouration on the glass of the lamp. They are also a bit more expensive than incandescent lights, but they are more energy efficient. If you prefer a traditional look in your office, these bulbs are a better option than incandescent ones. They also last longer, although it still depends on their use.

HID bulbs

HID or high-intensity discharge bulbs are ideal for places that require more lighting. However, one drawback is that they produce glare, which creates a blinding effect to those driving if installed in driveways.

Compact fluorescent lamps

Fluorescent lights use less energy, which means that you will also save on your energy costs. They also have a longer lifespan. However, they also contain toxic substance like mercury, and their initial price is high.

These are some of the lighting options available for your business. See which ones will best suit your premises and will meet your specific needs.

]]>2235How to Run an Ethical Manufacturing Businesshttps://thecustomercollective.com/how-to-run-an-ethical-manufacturing-business/
Thu, 29 Aug 2019 10:48:56 +0000https://thecustomercollective.com/?p=2227Running a business means putting your reputation on the line. For this reason, it’s crucial that you think carefully about what your business represents and also how you operate. It isn’t uncommon to see scandals and publicized lawsuits against businesses and owners that make mistakes. One way to prevent this from happening to you is by making sure you’re running an ethical business. This means that it should operate in a way that considers both its employees and customers. If you need tips regarding how you can do so, you’ll find a couple below. Consider Employee Needs In […]

]]>Running a business means putting your reputation on the line. For this reason, it’s crucial that you think carefully about what your business represents and also how you operate. It isn’t uncommon to see scandals and publicized lawsuits against businesses and owners that make mistakes. One way to prevent this from happening to you is by making sure you’re running an ethical business. This means that it should operate in a way that considers both its employees and customers. If you need tips regarding how you can do so, you’ll find a couple below.

Consider Employee Needs

In as much as profit is important, so is meeting the needs of employees. Any ethical business should create a safe and fair environment for employees to work in. Here are two core needs to focus on when running an ethical business.

Safety: When working in manufacturing, make sure that you keep your employees safe. This means evaluating potential hazards and risks periodically and listening to any employee complaints. Be sure to offer ongoing training and educate your staff about safety in the workplace.

Balance: Avoid making your employees work for longer hours than they need to, as this can be seen as unethical. Encourage work-life balance and also ensure their workloads are reasonable. Automating some processes could help ease the workload, so they can focus on tasks that require critical thinking.

Operate Sustainably

Sustainability is one of many ways that you can run an ethical manufacturing business. Seeing as you’re going to be producing items, make a conscious effort to do so in the greenest way possible. One simple approach would be to invest in recycling items such as cardboard and plastics. You could decide to get a baler and use baling wire, which you can get at an affordable price from balingwiredirect.com to neatly bundle your waste.

Make Safe Products Always

When making your products, always make sure that they’re safe. This could mean doing regular checks on the materials that you’re using and following all due processes you’ve put in place. If you know any part of your product may be unsafe and harmful to the public, always put a halt on production rather than take the risk. Remember that your business’ reputation is more valuable than the profit you seek to make.

Lead with Morals

An effective way to run an ethical business is to lead with morals. Your employees are always watching what you do as opposed to what you say, so make sure it sends off a positive message. Always remind employees of what is right and wrong and encourage transparency so that their actions are the same in private and public. When you lead with morals, your employees are likely to have an idea of what type of behavior is acceptable and what won’t be tolerated.

Ethical businesses are ones that take pride in their beliefs and use them as a blueprint for their business. The goal should be to have values that you’re grounded in and be consistent in them no matter what the circumstances are.

]]>2227Medical Negligence: Learn how to prove a Claimhttps://thecustomercollective.com/medical-negligence-learn-how-to-prove-a-claim/
Wed, 28 Aug 2019 13:23:12 +0000https://thecustomercollective.com/?p=2223Medical malpractice or negligence occurs when a medical or healthcare expert or facility fails to offer appropriate care, gives substandard treatment or fails to take the right action. As a direct result of this failure, a patient might suffer injuries, harm, or even death. In most cases, medical malpractice involves a medical-related error. This can happen in any phase of treatment, including diagnosis, dosage, treatment, health management, or aftercare. The law makes it possible for victims of medical negligence to seek compensation for all forms of harm caused by the substandard treatment. Note that lawsuits involving medical malpractice are complicated […]

]]>Medical malpractice or negligence occurs when a medical or healthcare expert or facility fails to offer appropriate care, gives substandard treatment or fails to take the right action. As a direct result of this failure, a patient might suffer injuries, harm, or even death. In most cases, medical malpractice involves a medical-related error. This can happen in any phase of treatment, including diagnosis, dosage, treatment, health management, or aftercare.

The law makes it possible for victims of medical negligence to seek compensation for all forms of harm caused by the substandard treatment. Note that lawsuits involving medical malpractice are complicated as the medical facility and the doctors will want to prove that they were not negligent. This is why you should seek medical malpractice help if you intend to pursue a medical malpractice claim.

The requirements of a medical claim

For a victim of medical negligence to get compensated, he or must prove the following.

There was a doctor-patient relationship: The victim must show that he or she was admitted in a specific facility, and thus, a doctor-patient relationship was created. Simply put, you hired a physician, and he or she agreed to be hired and provide healthcare services. For instance, you cannot file a medical claim against a medical expert you overheard offering advice during a dinner party. However, if a medical expert starts seeing and treating you, it is easy to prove that a duty of care existed.

The medical expert was careless or negligent: Just because a patient isn’t happy about the treatment results doesn’t mean the physician was negligent or careless in connection with your overall healthcare. To successfully pursue a medical malpractice claim, you must prove beyond any reasonable doubt that the medical professional caused you injuries in a way that a competent medical professional, under similar circumstances, wouldn’t have. Every medical specialist is required to be reasonable, careful, and act to the best of their knowledge while adhering to the highest possible standard of care.

The medical practitioner’s negligent acts directly harmed you: Most medical malpractice lawsuits involve patients who were already injured or sick. Thus, there is always a question of whether or not the medical practitioner’s actions can be perceived careless. For instance, if the patient dies during or after treatment of lung cancer, and the medical practitioner acted negligently, it becomes challenging to prove that the medical practitioner’s actions were a direct cause of the patient’s death. Sometimes, an expert’s testimony may be necessary to determine whether the doctor’s actions caused harm to a patient.

The harm the patient suffered was legally significant: Though it might be clear that the medical expert failed to provide an acceptable standard of care, the victim cannot sue for negligence if he or she didn’t suffer any harm. Some of the damages a patient can sue for include medical bills related to the harm, physical pain, loss of earning capacity, and mental anguish.

The medical negligence law is regulated by a complicated set of rules which considerably varies depending on your state or country. Therefore, it is important to seek the help of a lawyer experienced in such cases.

]]>2223Choosing the Right Rewards Credit Cardhttps://thecustomercollective.com/choosing-the-right-rewards-credit-card/
Fri, 23 Aug 2019 22:49:34 +0000https://thecustomercollective.com/?p=2218Choosing a credit card that offers rewards can save money and offer many benefits, if the user knows what card to select and how to take advantage of its perks. There’s no universal rewards credit card that is best for everyone, though. Benefits depend on how a customer spends money from day to day and what types of rewards are most valuable to them. U.S. News found that 44% of people fail to research their credit card benefits and rates before applying for them. Without adequate research and comparison, they risk missing a key opportunity to save money. To choose […]

]]>Choosing a credit card that offers rewards can save money and offer many benefits, if the user knows what card to select and how to take advantage of its perks. There’s no universal rewards credit card that is best for everyone, though. Benefits depend on how a customer spends money from day to day and what types of rewards are most valuable to them.

U.S. News found that 44% of people fail to research their credit card benefits and rates before applying for them. Without adequate research and comparison, they risk missing a key opportunity to save money. To choose a card with maximum benefits, you should first research the fees as well as the perks associated with various rewards programs.

Types of Rewards

There are two basic types of rewards that credit cards can offer: cash back rewards and travel rewards, sometimes called points rewards. Understanding the basics of each can help you choose which type of program suites your habits and lifestyle best.

Cash Back Rewards

With cash back rewards, credit card holders receive money back for a certain percentage of every dollar they spend. Sometimes this is a flat rate, applied evenly to all types of transactions. With other programs, the rate depends on the category of goods and services. For example, there will be different rates applied to groceries, gas, and restaurant purchases.

Another thing to find out is the cash back policy. Some programs only give cash back up to a certain amount spent. Furthermore, while some programs give cash back, others only credit your account for future purchases.

Travel Rewards

Travel rewards programs keep track of money spent in terms of points or miles. These points can then be applied to travel expenses. Some credit cards track flights separately from other expenses while others group travel expenses all together so that miles apply to flights as well as hotels.

With airline rewards, customers can earn miles for every dollar they spend. These miles can then be applied toward future flight expenses and upgrades.

There are also other types of travel rewards that cover more costs than flight expenses. For example, some can be used at hotels for free nights and room upgrades.

Differentiating Between Programs

Beyond types of rewards, credit cards also offer different fees and perks for using the card. The program that’s right for you will depend on how much you plan to use the card as well as what perks are most relevant to your lifestyle.

Sign-Up Bonuses

Check with your bank about what bonuses they offer for first time sign ups. It’s worth comparing this initial perk between cards when you’re looking to apply.

Annual Fees

Annual fees vary quite a bit between cards. While you might be tempted to pick a card with low or no annual fees, keep in mind that higher fees mean more benefits. Be realistic beforehand about how often you’ll use the card. This will help you determine what extra benefits are worthwhile compared to the higher fee.

Card Perks

Besides points and cash back, many credit cards also offer a set of perks. First Western Trust, for example, offer exclusive airport lounge access worldwide and no foreign transaction fees with their Visa Signature Elite and Premier American Express cards. If you travel abroad frequently, reward card perks like these pay off in the long run.

Making the Most of Rewards

Rewards credit cards save money and provide value to your life if you know how to make the most of them. On the other hand, they can end up costing you money if you don’t pay them off or use them enough. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to make applying for a rewards card worthwhile.

Maintain a good credit score. Most companies won’t even let you apply for credit rewards unless you have good to excellent credit. Either way, you’ll have to maintain good credit to keep using your rewards.

Think about your lifestyle before choosing a card. You’ll have to meet the minimum spending requirements to earn rewards and make the card worthwhile, so make sure the card you pick makes sense for your spending habits. You can start earning rewards right away with cash back card if you use the card for everyday purchases such as gas and groceries. But if you don’t like to put those types of purchases on credit, then maybe cash back rewards is not the program for you. Similarly, if you rarely fly, it will take years to rack up any worthwhile amount of travel points, so maybe consider another program instead.

Consider a co-branded card if you frequent certain stores, airlines, or hotels more than others. These can offer unique perks that generic rewards cards don’t.

The benefits and rates of rewards credit cards are as unique and varied as the people applying for them. Take the time to find which program is right for your spending habits. The extra research will pay off in the long term with perks and savings that fit your lifestyle.

]]>2218Top Tips for Maximizing Employee Efficiencyhttps://thecustomercollective.com/top-tips-for-maximizing-employee-efficiency/
Tue, 20 Aug 2019 20:02:29 +0000https://thecustomercollective.com/?p=2215With a significant chunk of a company’s annual expenditure going on employee wages, it is important to ensure that their input is as efficient and valuable as possible. Any successful business owner knows that organizations are built on the productivity of their workers and their ability to turn up everyday with the right attitude to get the job done. When employees are failing to run at maximum efficiency, it can have disastrous consequences for a company and its shareholders, as expectations are not met, goals are not achieved, and money is ultimately lost. Here are some top tips for helping […]

]]>With a significant chunk of a company’s annual expenditure going on employee wages, it is important to ensure that their input is as efficient and valuable as possible. Any successful business owner knows that organizations are built on the productivity of their workers and their ability to turn up everyday with the right attitude to get the job done. When employees are failing to run at maximum efficiency, it can have disastrous consequences for a company and its shareholders, as expectations are not met, goals are not achieved, and money is ultimately lost. Here are some top tips for helping to get the most out of your employees.

Match skills to tasks

A study conducted by the OECD-ILO indicates that matching employees’ skills to jobs can have positive effects on happiness, productivity, and innovation. It can lead to employees feeling more engaged in the work they are doing and therefore foster increased feelings of respect towards the company. Giving an employee a task which is completely out of their scope will not only cause them to feel stretched and stressed out, it is unlikely to yield very good results. By better understanding the skills that match certain jobs, employers can significantly improve efficiency within the workplace.

Clear communication

Communicating well with your workforce and setting clear expectations for each task is a highly effective way of maximizing employee efficiency. Not only that, but putting forward the right form of communication is also very important. It is suggested that only 5% of work – related conversation focuses on discussing solutions and future possibilities, while as much as 80% gets caught up in problems of the past, which involves the assigning of blame. Communicating well and making sure the conversations are constructive is a key element of creating an efficient workforce.

Provide feedback

Providing employees with feedback, even if it may not be exactly what they want to hear, is far better than leaving them in the dark wondering whether the job they have done is up to scratch or not. Once an employee becomes aware of what they are doing right and where they need to improve, they are able to adapt their behavior and work in the way you want them to. By the same token, allowing staff to leave their own feedback about work-related matters is just as important. Using platforms like Inpulse offer staff the opportunity to complete surveys that can be used by the management to make improvements and increase overall employee engagement.

Create incentives

At the most simple level, providing incentives will ultimately create a more satisfied workforce which, in turn, means more productive output. However, there are also more long term benefits of offering rewards for good work, such as an elevated sense of value within a company, as it signifies that you are willing to invest in that individual. In addition, it may create a more motivated workforce who will work harder towards a personal benefit, rather than simply to please their superiors.

]]>2215Debt Relief based on Your Credit Scorehttps://thecustomercollective.com/debt-relief-based-on-your-credit-score/
Mon, 19 Aug 2019 04:00:31 +0000https://thecustomercollective.com/?p=2205In basic terms, your credit score is like the Cliff’s Notes of your financial history and how good or bad you’ve managed it over the years. Just about every adult in the US has a Fair, Isaac, and Company or FICO score. As a data analytics firm, they the credit score range from 300 (rock bottom) to 850 (perfect). This can have a huge impact on what you will qualify for in regards to debt relief options. FICO scores, ratings, and how they’re interpreted are as follows: 300 to 579 =Poor, well below average 580 to 669 = Fair, below […]

]]>In basic terms, your credit score is like the Cliff’s Notes of your financial history and how good or bad you’ve managed it over the years. Just about every adult in the US has a Fair, Isaac, and Company or FICO score. As a data analytics firm, they the credit score range from 300 (rock bottom) to 850 (perfect). This can have a huge impact on what you will qualify for in regards to debt relief options. FICO scores, ratings, and how they’re interpreted are as follows:

300 to 579 =Poor, well below average

580 to 669 = Fair, below average

670 to 739 = Good, near or slightly above average

740 to 799 = Very good, above average

800+ = Exceptional, well above average

There are 3 major credit reporting agencies in the U.S., all of which report your credit score whenever you apply for a credit card, any type of loan, or mortgage. Despite the fact that each of these agencies maintains your credit score, each one differs slightly from the other in the way they maintain those records. Consequently, your credit score can vary based on the agency that a lender uses.

Are You struggling with Debt?

Over time, credit scores tend to fluctuate based on a person’s credit-related decisions. Certain actions or non-actions can impact your credit positively or negatively. So, you have to understand how your decisions can affect you from a financial standpoint. If you’ve been reading this, chances are you’ve been struggling with a considerable debt burden and are looking for a solution. So, when you’re trying to reduce that debt and keep the roof over your head, you’ll want to know how each of the different debt relief options that are currently available will impact your credit score.

Debt Relief Options

First and most important, if you’re not familiar with your credit score, you should be. It forms the basis of the financial settlement that you will be eligible for. Otherwise, it won’t be possible to predict the impact one of these debt relief options listed below has on your credit score. Here are the primary debt relief options that a person might consider and the impact it could have on their credit score:

Bankruptcy – the immediate impact is severe damage to your credit while a very slow recovery is the long-term impact

Debt negotiation or settlement – same impact as filing bankruptcy

Debt Management Plans – the immediate impact is moderate and can be positive or negative while the long-term impact could be minimal

Debt consolidation – the immediate impact is relatively small and can be positive or negative while the long-term impact could be minimal

Ironically, to rebuild your credit, you have to have credit, so paying off all your debt and never having any again is not necessarily ideal either. Although we would all enjoy never owing anyone, not having credit will hurt your score. Thus, it is important to pay off debt as quickly as possible and look for ways to rebuild your credit scores.